The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-01-07
XLIXth CONGRESS..-SECOND SESSION.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.
Mr.. Edmunds, from the committee on
foreign relations, reported a bill to incorpor-
ate maritime canal company Of Nicaragua.
Calendared.
Mr.. Manderson brought before the Senate
the case OF the claim against Mexico for the
killing OF Capt: Emmett Crawford in COM
mand of the United States troops in pursuit
OF Gerinamo by Mexican troops.
The Senate took up the bill giving PEN
sion OF 5000 q year to Mary S. Logan, widow
OF John A. Logan, as Major General of
volunteers. Mr.. Mitchell stated that the bill
proposed TO do precisely what was done for
the widows of Gen. Hancock and Gen.
Thomas.
Mr.. Maxey said he would prefer to have
some further explanation of the bill There
was great distinction between the case Of
Gen. Logan and the cases of Generals Ham
eock and Thomas, who had spent their lives
In the army. In so far as he was concerned
he thought the case Of Gen. Logan should
stand on the same principle as that of the
other citizens. If he contracted in the army
disease from which he died that would be
simple ground for pension for his widow.
Mr.. Mitchell stated he heard Gen. Logan
say he had been wounded i've times, and
that he was undoubtedly entitled to a pen-
sion, but had never claimed one.
Mr.. Cullom stated that Gen. Logan had
contracted rheumatism an the battle field of
Fort Donaldson where he lay in the snow all
night. There was no question that he died
Of rheumatism contracted in the service Of
his country.
After some further discussion the bill was
passed without division.
On motion of Mr.. Edmunds the bill to
carry into effect a treaty with China for
the suppression Of opium traffic was taken
up and passed without division
The Interstate commerce bill having
been taken up again Mr.. Cullom said he was
anxious to have the bill disposed of soon as
possible consistent with a fair discussion
and he, therefore. gave notice that Tuesday
or Wednesday next he would ask the Senate
to remain in session until the subject was
disposed of.
debate on the bill that would operate SO
seriously upon modern commerce and would
so greatly effect the interests of the city, and
state which he represented.
Mr.. Cullom said the Senator had had
plenty of time to prepare for the discussion
since the conference report had been made,
besides the bill as reported was not very
different from that which passed the Senate
year ago. In his Judgment, the bill if
passed would not interfere with modern
commerce at all, nor with the interests Of
Boston or Massachusetts.
The Senate sthen, on motion of Mr..
Cameron, at 3.45 O'Clock went into secret
session, and when the doors were reopened
ten minutes later, adjourned till to- morrow.
HOUSE.
The House went into committee of the
whole on the pension appropriation bill,
which appropriated $76,247, being only $500
below the estimates, the reduction being in
an item for rent of Offices for pension
agencies. Without amendment or discus
sion the bill was read, reported to the House
and passed
The House-yeas, 1873; nays, l77-went into
committee of the whole, Mr.. Springer of
llllnois in the chair, on the naval reorganiza-
ton bill.
Mr.. Sayers of Texas, declared there was
no political object sought to be accomplished
by the measure. 1t had for its object reform
in the administration of naval affairs in or
der to ensure harmony, promote efficiency,
produce economy and secure responsibility.
We had no fleet worthy of name, our navy
yards and stations, Notwithstanding the inn
mense sums OF money spent upon them, were
in worthless and deplorable condition, and
If this lamentable condition of affairs was
due, as he thought it was, to the organiza-
tion Of navy as 1t now existed, the i'm
perative duty devolved upon Congress to
give relief which was extended by pending
bills.
Mr.. Boutelle of Maine, opposed the bill.
believing it to be contrary to the interests Of
the naval service, and that its passage would
be detrimental to the interests of the govern
ment 1t did not represent what it purport-
ed to be, instead of being specific admiralty
prepared and digested method of reOrganiza
tion, submitted by the navy department it
was maksehift, based ON an entire depar-
ture from an absolute Surrender of the prin-
ciples which were declared essential when
the original proposition was submitted. The
; existing organization Of the navy was ade-
quate to all demands of the present and all
probable requirements of the future
Adinurnad